Obesity and sedentary lifestyles have been identified as
"escalating national and global epidemics . . . These intricately
linked conditions are responsible for an enormous burden of chronic
disease, impaired physical function and quality of life, at least
300,00 premature deaths, and at least $90 billion in direct health
care costs annually in the United States alone" (1). Additionally,
the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical
Association launched the Exercise is MedicineTM program in November
2007 to encourage physicians to record physical activity as a vital
sign during patient visits, and to encourage patients to
incorporate physical activity and exercise into their daily lives.
Thus, there is an increasing need for well trained and qualified
fitness professionals to work with the growing sedentary and obese
populations in the United States, and to work together with
physicians and other health care professionals to provide
appropriate exercise prescriptions and programs for healthy
children and adults, as well as patient populations. In addition
for the need for professionals to work with the sedentary and obese
populations, there is also increasing need for well- trained and
qualified professionals to work with athletic-oriented populations
toward the achievement of optimal human performance. Further, there
is increased need to enhance the performance of diverse populations
in varying environmental conditions.

The graduate concentration in exercise physiology will help
prepare students to meet these societal challenges. This area of
study provides an advanced theoretical and research background in
exercise physiology, as well as hands-on experience gained through
a required internship. The curriculum prepares students for a
variety of careers, including corporate and community fitness
specialists, clinical exercise specialists, coaching for
performance enhancement, teaching, and research. Additionally,
after completing the M.A. program, some students go on to take
various certification exams (e.g., National Strength and
Conditioning Association), and others continue in doctoral programs
in exercise physiology.